Flower Mound’s Town Council levies charges that Lake Ralph Hall will cause water rates to rise
Sherman Denison Herald Democrat, TX - Feb 10, 2006
by Vicki Graves
Herald Democrat

Controversy persists between the Upper Trinity Regional Water District and the town of Flower Mound, in the Metroplex, over construction of Lake Ralph Hall and costs associated with it. The lake is a proposed project on the North Sulphur River in Fannin County.

With the goal of ensuring that Denton County residents, businesses, and elected officials are aware of how the proposed Lake Ralph Hall will affect their water rates, the town of Flower Mound is kicking off a new informational campaign that will include the Internet, the media and grassroots efforts, a press release states.

Based on what the Flower Mound Town Council sees as a lack of need, high cost and low yield, the council wants to use more cost-effective water supplies that are available. The council is informing the public about the projected impact on water rates. Flower Mound will use local cable channels, e-mail news bulletins, and a dedicated Web site to publicize information and encourage Denton County residents to contact their elected officials regarding the project, planned for the southern part of Fannin County near Ladonia.

“Many complex issues surround our region’s future water supply and the related planning that must be undertaken by local and regional entities,” the Lake Ralph Hall public notice states. “Among the issues currently under consideration is the proposed construction of Lake Ralph Hall. The costs associated with this project would have a financial impact on many Denton County communities as well as individual ratepayers.”

The Flower Mound Town Council voted Feb. 7 to oppose development of the lake. Members again cited a lack of need, high cost, low yield, the availability of other existing, more cost-effective water supplies, and the projected impact on retail rates in Flower Mound and throughout the Upper Trinity Regional Water District’s service area.

Flower Mound Community Affairs Specialist Mike Ryan, who is involved in the protest movement, said Upper Trinity spent $200,000 for public relations in 2005, which he called “irresponsible in the first place and a gross misuse of public funds.”

Said Ryan, “Our point is, why pay more for water, at a cost to the taxpayers, than is necessary? It’s not better water. It’s not more clear or higher quality. It doesn’t taste any better.”

He called Lake Ralph Hall a trophy project that would force the rate-payers of Denton County to pay more when there is less expensive water available in Dallas “and all this at the expense of the landowners of Fannin County.”

About 15 million gallons a day would go directly to the city of Irving, which is a member of the Upper Trinity. Three million gallons a day will go to the city of Ladonia. That leaves 12 million gallons a day that the Upper Trinity would even realize, Ryan said. “If I were living in Fannin County, I would have a lot of questions about who’s benefiting from this lake.”

Director Tom Taylor defended the project, saying Upper Trinity Regional Water District is concentrating on getting the lake built for the people of Fannin County and for UTTWD.

Taylor has said that many Fannin County residents are telling him they’re ready to sell their land for the project.